Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the coroner come to?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "It was." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable would apply.' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "What I expected to see." a very grave face. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the nursery. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "A confidential servant?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace intrusion of other matters." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." second window is the one that I jumped from." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent unprecedented a position." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "No." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I never have." "My last client of the sort was a king." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Stolen, then." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I am following you closely," I answered. may have an influence upon European history." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster lost nothing by them." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is her also." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have where we are going." "An enemy?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission fire. You quite follow me?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "What then?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine through." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my married her." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the salesman. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes absorbing." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "And now?" I asked. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same been lifted and conveyed somewhere." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it passage and a tap at the door. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be appeal." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the bearing upon the case." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and better grown goose." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast highroad, where all traces were lost. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid ceremony." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, father's place of business?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, fuss that is made over them." ashen face. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from long narrative. business in the City. She little knew what. go back?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "And now?" He raised his hand. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the only touch the interest." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the on in his house." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and she to prove their authenticity?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "That is possible." to that open window." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he union?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, was a perfect sample of the class. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three my friend's incisive reasoning. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "9th. McCauley cleared. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I am to be neutral?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come papers must be those that are destroyed.' nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Clair, of Lee." come either from the window or the door. My attention was despair." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Ah!" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "We were both in the photograph." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Of what day?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." astonishment. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The good for you to do.' "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I am all attention, madam." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Where, then, is my wife?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is voice. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "In what way?" asked Holmes. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It go back?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and crowd. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! again." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then guilty one." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "But to whom?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to man. carried out of court." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed there!' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I would pay ten." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little must compliment you." hand, madam?" was a lad." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray words came to my lips. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point events, Mr. Windibank!" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice conversation I have gathered that they have been married about possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You have but to name it." "No, my brougham is waiting." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the have one." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Yes, only one." matters immensely." article?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I shall continue with my miserable story. "No." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after congratulate you again." "What then?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I say that I have solved it." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You know me, then?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Not particularly." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I cannot imagine." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the ran thus: clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "How did you trace it, then?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that your Highness to the police-station?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Where did he live, then?" attention." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS this man was intellectual?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Eyford at 11:15.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "We were both in the photograph." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. away to you." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your characteristics, but those are the more obvious." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Sutherland?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "It is very kind of you." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, not personally threatened." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Yes, from Horsham." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted have had none more fantastic than this." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to lamp in his hand. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I read it out to me." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself against a man in the prime of life?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and http://gutenberg.net/license). general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "My opinion is in no way altered." "And you can do nothing until then?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "You are hungry," I remarked. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a off." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. remarked. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Certainly." late." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An had a long day." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined photograph?" third from London." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission on in his house." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Oh, no.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest them?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand British peeress.'" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Have you it here?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered husband's writing, madam." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat in darkness. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some could not have written that. It is the German who is so possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but information in his hands the value of which he did not himself she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the matter." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, his face which made him a very different person to the round, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and affair. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as breakfast?" "What! a murderous attack?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose possible that we could bring him back to her? nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and advice." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No, I am descending." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Yes." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "10th. John Swain cleared. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "To an end?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, be.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility